Clarence Eugene Hardaway was born on April 12, 1941 in Greenville, Georgia.  He was born to the parents of the late Mr. Cleophas and Mrs. Mattie Lizzie Hardaway.  Clarence grew up in Meriwether County and attended school in the Meriwether County school system.

Excited about the opportunity to make a life for himself, Clarence left Greenville, Georgia as a young man at the age of twenty-one (21).  He made his first move to Atlanta, before finally settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which would become his home for the next fifty (50) years.  Clarence learned the trade of installing both residential and commercial carpet.  He became so skilled at this trade, that he built his own business from the ground up and became a very successful entrepreneur.  As Clarence left his home in Meriwether County, he never forgot his family back home.  As he became successful, he continued to send money back home to his parents to help his family.  The entire family would look forward to and ultimately benefited from the “famous Western Union calls”.  Coming full circle, as Clarence’s health began to decline, his family made the decision to bring him back home on March 30, 2012 so that the family could take care of him the way he so affectionately took care of the family.  After a brief hospice period, God called Clarence home on June 27, 2012.

Clarence’s memory will be cherished forever by so many family and friends, namely his four children Barbara Ann Hardy (Rodney), Scarbrough (Scottie), Erika, and Clayton Hardaway, 9 grandchildren, one great-grandchild,  Four Brothers, Alfred Hardaway, Elder Daniel Hardaway (Seles), Roosevelt Hardaway (Hazel), Elder Floyd Hardaway (Ella), Seven Sisters, Virginia Prather (George), Daisy Hill, Effie Hill (Edward), Vernice Harris (Joseph), Abilene Russell, Sylvia Broughton (Michael), Arletha Hardaway, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, a very special uncle, George Hardaway and special friends, Leroy and George Ann Russell all of Philadelphia, PA.

 

Clarence was preceded in death by one brother, Cleophas (CJ) Hardaway, Jr. and one sister, Louise Hardaway